Plain-English translation of NCT05849038 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
Phase 2 — Testing in a bigger group (up to a few hundred people) to see if the treatment actually works and is still safe.
This 10-week study is testing whether , an anti-inflammatory medication already approved by the FDA, can help treat depression in people with HIV. The researchers believe that chronic inflammation in the brain may be contributing to two specific depression symptoms — the inability to feel pleasure and moving or thinking slowly — and that reducing inflammation might help. The study will compare people taking to those taking a placebo (a dummy pill with no active ingredient) to see if the medication makes a real difference.
Depression is much more common in people with HIV than in the general population, and standard antidepressants don't always work well for them. Research suggests that chronic inflammation in the brain may be a key reason why depression develops and persists in this group, so this medication offers a new approach to treating depression by targeting inflammation rather than just mood chemicals alone.
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Over 10 weeks, you would be randomly assigned to receive either or a placebo pill — neither you nor the researchers will know which one you're taking. You'll visit the clinic multiple times for blood tests, psychiatric and medical evaluations, and brain imaging (fMRI scans). You may also be asked to do memory and thinking tests, and there's an optional spinal tap if you choose to participate in that part. The study aims to understand how inflammation affects the brain areas involved in pleasure and movement.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 3, 2026 · Not medical advice
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